One of my favorite parts of the holidays is all the delicious home-cooked food, but the prep process is far from stress-free. So, I decided to ask professional chefs how they prepare for the busiest kitchen days of the year.
Instead of ingredients and recipes, every chef emphasized one thing – appliance prep. Giving essentials a quick service before the holidays can make all the difference between a smooth day in the kitchen and a Hell’s Kitchen disaster.
5 kitchen appliances to service before the holidays
1. Ovens
Deep cleaning the oven can also prevent fires.
Your pre-holiday cooking prep should not stop at cleaning an oven. Marissa Stevens, founder and recipe developer at Pinch and Swirl, says you should also test that it is heating up correctly – it’s an essential step to ensure nothing comes out under- or over-cooked on the big day.
She shares, ‘Mine works hard year-round, but I still run a quick test bake just to make sure the temperature’s accurate. A cheap thermometer inside tells me if it’s drifting.’
Joanne Gallagher, co-founder and recipe developer at Inspired Taste, suggests using this in-oven thermometer from Amazon for accurate readings and perfect results.
If your oven temperature is incorrect, it may be a sign that it’s time to replace your old appliances, or call an appliance expert for a full service and repairs.
2. Thermometers
Thermometers can help avoid any unfortunate illnesses.
The last thing you want to do is give a guest food poisoning. Besides checking her internal oven temperature, Joanne adds, ‘I also keep my internal thermometer (from Amazon) handy for checking the temperature of my turkey and roasts.’
You can check the accuracy of a food thermometer by filling a glass with ice and topping it up with cold water. Submerge the probe so that it is not touching the glass. It should read 32°F (0°c).
3. Countertop Breakfast Essentials
Small appliances need just as much care as larger ones.
Even the best appliances for small kitchens need a little attention before the holiday rush, especially if you’re making breakfast for overnight guests.
Marissa continues, ‘The waffle maker, toaster, big coffee pot – they're in the pantry depths most of the year, so I clean them up, plug them in, and make sure everything's working. Better to find a problem now than when everyone’s waiting for breakfast.’
Finding smart ways to organize kitchen appliances can also keep them all within arm’s reach without them getting in the way of bulk food prep.
We like using stick-on cord organizers from Walmart to help hide cables on counters and minimize visual mess. Appliance sliders, also from Walmart, make it easy to pull used appliances forward without damaging worktops.
4. The Fridge And Freezer
A clean fridge can prevent leftovers and prepped items absorbing bad smells from other items.
Cleaning and decluttering a fridge before hosting should be a no-brainer, helping to streamline the food prep process. However, it is also wise to check that your fridge is holding temperature to secure your food storage ideas against premature spoilage.
Ian Palmer-Smith, Appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, says, ‘The first thing to do is check that nothing is preventing the door from closing properly. For example, is there any food stuck in the seal? Is there a frost build-up in the freezer? Is the fridge-freezer too full?
‘Once you have identified any issues, you can work to remove them. Food can be removed with a quick clean, but frost build-up will mean that you need to defrost the appliance.’'
We suggest cleaning a fridge and freezer with white vinegar from Walmart, as it helps to deodorize and kill bacteria without harsh chemicals, mitigating the risk of food contamination. Don't forget to check the fridge drain, which is usually behind the crisper drawer.
This long refrigerator drain cleaning kit from Amazon is very handy, and Prime members can enjoy next-day delivery.
5. The Dishwasher
A clean dishwasher makes clean up after holiday meals ten times smoother.
The same goes for your best dishwasher.
After cleaning your dishwasher, check the spray arms for any hard water build-up, clean with vinegar to help break down tough deposits without chemicals. You can unclog a dishwasher and its filter ahead of a grease-heavy food season.
The Affresh dishwasher cleaning tablets from Walmart are also a great, quick option, helping to tackle the tub, racks, pump, and hoses.
David Miloshev, appliance technician at Fantastic Services, also urges, ‘It’s also wise to check the seals and gaskets because worn ones cause energy loss and make the machine less effective.
For a quick freshen up mid-hosting, use lemon slices in your dishwasher. It boosts cleaning power and deodorizes the appliance in one fell swoop.
What to Shop
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning agent for any home. When used correctly, it can help to kill mold and bacteria, as well as tackle odors and lighten stains, all without harsh chemicals.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has certified Attitude products as non-toxic, meaning they contain no harsh chemicals or artificial compounds.
These small detail cleaning brushes are ideal for targeting awkward spots that cloths can't reach, such as grout lines or around fixtures. They are around the size of a toothbrush.
Sponge cloths are plant-based, meaning they are free from plastics and decompose in compost heaps in around 10 months, making them an eco-friendly, hygienic alternative to traditional sponges and paper towels.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs have an enzyme-rich formula that cuts through tough grease and food residue without fragrances, dyes, phosphates, or chlorine.
With a fresh lemon scent and a concentrated soap formula, Dawn Powerwash works five times faster than regular Dawn dish soap to break down grease, limiting how much you need to scrub.
Meet the Experts
For more than 15 years, Marissa has been sharing recipes, cooking tips, and real-life kitchen wins (and lessons) with home cooks to help people feel confident and inspired in the kitchen, whether they’re making a simple weeknight dinner or trying something totally new.
Joanne Gallagher is the Co-founder, Recipe Developer, and Chef at Inspired Taste. She meticulously tests and refines each dish to ensure perfection.
Ian is an expert in dishwasher maintenance and repairs, with 39 years working at Domestic & General. The company repairs a whopping 2.2 million products a year, working with brands like Bosch, Samsung, Whirlpool, and Zanussi to ensure appliance longevity.
As a licensed electrician, David is an expert when it comes to appliance care and maintenance.
With the heavy-duty appliances taken care of, the next step is to organize cookware for the holidays, with top chef tips to streamline your system.
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